“We expect such innings from him. Whenever he gives himself time in the middle, he is always dangerous and he can win you games. This was one of his best innings.”

The Pakistan skipper admitted to feeling the heat in the middle-stages. “When we lost three wickets quickly, we were under pressure. The game was 60 to 70 per cent out of our hands. But there was a really good partnership after that. Hafeez and Maqsood were sensible.” Asked if it wiped away the disappointment of losing the T20 World Cup final in 2007, he said wryly: “I have forgotten about the game.”

Proud of the boys

Earlier, Virat Kohli praised his men for their effort. “I’m not shocked [by the defeat] at all. I’m really proud of the way the boys fought it out. If you compare the experience of our team with their team, it’s massive.”

Kohli didn’t agree it was a risk to employ R. Ashwin in the last over. “I knew if I put the seamers in before and Ashwin comes to bowl, they will go for it. Wickets are all we wanted. Those last two sixes were not off the middle of the bat, but that’s how it goes.”

He said he wasn’t speculating about India’s chances in the final. “I have personally stopped putting my money on the games that are left. All we can do is put up a strong performance and try and get a bonus point.” Kohli was also effusive in his praise for Amit Mishra’s “attacking bowling”.